The 2023-24 season was a rather forgettable campaign for Bengaluru FC.
Garnering a mere 22-points from as many games, the season never really got going for The Blues and it was easily their least impressive performance in recent years.
Bengaluru FC got off to the worst possible start when after their first nine games, their paltry seven points led to the sacking of coach Simon Grayson. They eventually finished the season 10th.
The turn of events was remarkable as Grayson had won the Durand Cup in 2022-23 and under his stewardship, Bengaluru FC had made the finals of the Super Cup and the Indian Super League Final.
Bengaluru FC, however, will look to turn things around this year and have already made some promising moves.
Gerard Zaragoza, who took over the club soon after Grayson’s sacking had found success in the pre-season already, with a semifinal appears in the 2024 Durand Cup.
Speaking to the media, Zaragona cited the recruitments made to bolster the squad.
““We’re really glad with the work we have done over the summer. Our idea was to bring in players who understand our philosophy, want to contribute and fight for the club. We also wanted to bring in leaders, like Rahul (Bheke), who know what it means to play for BFC. Their support and guidance will be vital to all the younger players coming through the ranks, too.”
A set of new players in the form of Alberto Noguera, Rahul Bheke and Jorge Pereyra Diaz will add value to the squad.
Additionally, Edgar Mendez and Pedro Capo – who saw some action during the Durand Cup – will further bolster the squad.
Also, Nikhil Poojary and Chinglensana Singh, who found the going tough last year, will look to turn things around this time.
Bengaluru FC Squad for 2024-25
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Sahil Poonia
Defenders: Aleksandar Jovanović, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Jessel Allan Carneiro, Mohammed Salah K, Namgyal Bhutia, Naorem Roshan Singh, Nikhil Chandra Shekhar Poojary, Parag Satish Shrivas, Rahul Shankar Bheke, Shivaldo Chingambam Singh
Midfielders: Alberto Noguera Ripoll, Harsh Shailesh Patre, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Pedro Luis Capó Payeras, Shreyas Ketkar, Suresh Singh Wangjam
Forwards: Ashish Jha, Edgar Antonio Mendez Ortega, Halicharan Narzary, Jorge Rolando Pereyra Díaz, Monirul Molla, Rohit Danu, Ryan Dale Williams, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Sunil Chhetri.
Key Players
Sunil Chhetri had a lackluster season last year and played 20 games while scoring just five goals.
His leadership, however, will be vital if the squad is to turn things around this year.
Chhetri aside, Rahul Bheke and Alberto Noguera will be pivotal to the team as well.
Noguera is perhaps the most creative midfielder and Bengaluru FC will look to him to engage the forward line and facilitate goals.
Meanwhile, bringing up the rear will be Rahul Bheke in defense, who returns to Bengaluru FC after tasting success with Mumbai City FC.
Fresh threads! 🧵🤩
The Blues are out and about, prepping for their 2024-25 Indian Super League opener against East Bengal FC, on Saturday. How about that new training top! 🤩#WeAreBFC #BFCEBFC #ನೀಲಿಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ pic.twitter.com/vlX5SnASgy
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) September 12, 2024
What to expect?
Goal-scoring has been a problem for Bengaluru FC for a while now.
At almost 35-years of age, both Mendez and Pereyra Diaz are not growing any younger. And needless to say, Sunil Chhetri is no spring chicken either.
The onus, therefore, will be on Siva Sakthi N, the 23-year old to set up to the mantle and should responsibility when called upon.
All said and done, the season will present a real challenge for Bengaluru FC. That said, they will take heart from the recent semi-final appearance at the Durand Cup and go into the season know that their work is well and truly cut out.
Bengaluru FC will kickstart their season with a home game against East Bengal on the 14th of September.